Despite going ahead in the first half through Ronan Hale’s penalty, Gillingham conceded twice in the second half and failed to score a goal from open play for the fourth consecutive game, as they lost 2-1 against Bristol Rovers.

With three losses in their previous three games, Gillingham were keen to secure a positive result against a side in their region of the league table.

Gareth Ainsworth made one change from the team who lost at home to Swindon on Tuesday evening, starting Andy Smith in defence ahead of Shad Ogie, who dropped to the bench.

Steve Evans also made one change to the Rovers side who beat Shrewsbury on Tuesday, starting Ellis Harrison ahead of Joe Quigley, who dropped to the bench.

The opening minutes were scrappy, although Bradley Dack created a half chance with a piercing lifted pass to Remeao Hutton on the edge of the Bristol box. However, it came to nothing.

Rovers responded with a promising run from Joel Senior. He made his way through the Gillingham midfield and fired off a shot from the edge of the box which went wide.

In the 15th minute, Gillingham were awarded a penalty. Riley Harbottle was judged to have handled the ball defending a cross from the left. Marquee signing Ronan Hale took the spot kick and powerfully slotted it into the bottom left corner. The keeper dived in the right direction but couldn’t reach it.

Following the goal, Bristol Rovers came back into the game with some attacking possession that had Gillingham defending deep in their own half 

Rovers nearly equalized through Ellis Harrison, who had a free header in the box following a cross from the right. Jake Turner was at full stretch as he kept the header out with his right hand, low to his right.

The game grew a little bad-tempered as fouls started to accumulate and players remonstrated with the referee for fouls not given – particularly against Josh Andrews who had a lot of players wrestling with him as he waited for high balls.

The game threatened to boil over at the end of the first half. There was an angry dispute on the touchline involving a disputed throw-in. Then following the throw-in, Gillingham were awarded a free kick outside the Bristol Rovers’ box for a foul on Andrews.

Before the free kick could be taken, there was a skirmish involving Tommy Leigh, who was already on a caution, and Hale. No action was taken and the free kick came to nothing.

The first half ended with Omar Beckles clearing the ball following a Rovers throw in.

Steve Evans made four substitutions at half-time in an attempt to change the Rovers’ fortunes.

And it worked. Bristol Rovers equalized in the 47th minute. 

Following a corner, substitute Yusuf Akhamrich gained possession on the edge of the box. He floated in a cross that was headed goalwards. It hit the underside of the bar and bounced beneath it before Turner managed to claw it out of the goal. However, the referee’s assistant signalled the ball had crossed the line.

Rovers continued to apply pressure with plenty of attacking possession that drew good blocks from Beckles and Gale, and an impressive recovery tackle from Andy Smith. The tackle unfortunately resulted in Smith going off injured. He was replaced by Shad Ogie.

Gillingham went close to making it 2-1. Hale played an inventive flick over his shoulder to Dack in the Rovers’ box. However, Dack’s shot was excellently blocked by a diving defender.

Bristol went ahead after 71 minutes in an unusual way.

The ball was deflected over the top to Ellis Harrison, who was in an offside position. However, as the ball was headed backwards by a Gillingham player, it was not considered offside. Harrison was unopposed as he took his first shot, which Turner blocked excellently. The ball then fell loose, and Gillingham were unable to clear it. It then fell again to Harrison who found the net from close range.

Ainsworth turned to the bench for inspiration, bringing on Palmer-Houlden, Vokes and McCleary for Clark, Andrews and Waldock.

Joel Senior almost made it 3-1 with a close-range effort that was well saved by Turner.

With ten minutes of injury time, Gillingham had plenty of time to secure an equalizer. However, they found it difficult to create opportunities to score. 

The Rovers defence continues to hold firm, despite having to deal with a front three, due to Gillingham’s shift in formation.

The Gills kept putting balls into the box, but Rovers heads got to them first and kept the home side well away from the penalty area.

The best chance for came in the 99th minute as Sam Vokes had a header at the far post from a free kick. However, he was well-marked and could only glance his header wide.

Gillingham skipper Armani Little was sent off in the 110th minute, following his second bookable offence for kicking the ball away in frustration after a foul and delaying a restart. This typified the second half for Gillingham, who looked way off the pace.

As the final whistle blew, the away fans celebrated enthusiastically.

The second half performance was deeply concerning for Gillingham as they looked distinct second best.

This was the fourth game in a row where Gillingham have not scored from open play. This problem is not going away and needs addressing urgently.

Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Clark (Palmer-Houlden 77′), Smith (Ogie 59′), Little, Andrews (Vokes 77′), Dack, Waldock (McCleary 77′), Gale, Hale, Beckles.

Unused substitutes: Morris, Williams, Rowe.

Bookings: Waldock 35′, Hutton 71′, Little 89′  112′

Goals: Hale 17′ (pen), 

Bristol Rovers: Young, Senior, Sparkes (de Havilland 45′), Kilgour, Mola, Balmer (Quigley 81′), Harrison, Leigh (Akhamrich 45′), Harbottle (Thomas 45′), Cavegn (Thompson-Sommers 45′), Smallwood.

Unused substitutes: Southwood, Lockyer, Quigley.

Bookings: Leigh 34′, Kilgour 45′, Young 110′

Goals: Kilgour 47′, Harrison 72′

HT: 1-0

FT: 1-2

Attendance: 5674 (444)

Referee: Mr Charles Breakspear

Image courtesy of Gillingham FC